Author's Note: Part 2 of the previous chapter. This chapter kind of sucks (in my opinion). The pacing is fast because I don't want to waste more time. I could write extremely detailed scenes and stuff but I know you guys don't want to sit through such a slog nor do I want to waste your time. Here are the upcoming arcs: Graduation (2 chapters), Land of Grass (3-4 chapters), Tsunade Retrieval (2 chapters), Kakashi Gaiden (2 chapters), Chunin Exams (4-5 chapters), a 'filler' arc (to slow down pacing), and Shinobi War (4-5 chapters) which will be the end of Part I. I can probably get Part I fully completed by the end of this year, I just need to find the motivation to sit down and 'fill' in my outline. Arcs may have more or less chapters depending on the need. Anyway, enough of my rambling. Enjoy the chapter, leave a review, and God Bless. NOTE: There is a part with Kakashi that is pretty cliche/cringe. Don't hold back on your roasting.
Chapter 4: The Will of Fire
KONOHA COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The tension in the room was palpable as Hiruzen sat at the head of the table. Surrounding him were several high-ranking Konoha officials, members of the Elder Council, and the Shinobi Council. To his left sat Naobito Uchiha, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane. To his right sat Shikaku Nara, Hiashi Hyūga, and Inoichi Yamanaka.
Across the table, the Kumo delegation party, sent to represent the Raikage, stood at attention. A group of ten Kumo shinobi, wearing their standard attire of long grey tops and matching bottoms, their white one-strapped flak jackets with arm and shin guards, looked increasingly anxious. Their leader, the Head Ninja, had gone to take a piss but had yet to return, and two other members of their party had ventured off.
Despite these distractions, the negotiations were progressing smoothly. Both villages were eager to avoid further conflict. Konoha had leveraged the absence of key Kumo shinobi to secure more favorable terms, thanks to the assertiveness of Naobito and Hiashi.
After three long hours, they were nearing the end.
Hiruzen looked at the document once more before standing up. He smiled at the Kumo shinobi, attempting to ease the tension. "There is no need to be afraid."
The Kumo shinobi breathed a sigh of relief.
"Through careful consideration, we have decided to accept your terms," he stated, signing the treaty. "Today is the first step towards peace–"
At that moment, two explosions echoed through the air, causing the room to shake.
"What's going on?" one of the Kumo shinobi exclaimed. Before they could react, Konoha shinobi surrounded them, kunai and swords pressed against their throats as their bodies were thrown to the floor.
"Wait! We–" a Kumo shinobi began, but a Konoha shinobi pressed harder, silencing him.
That sounded like it came from the direction of the academy. I was a fool to not see an attack like this coming, the Hokage's mind raced.
"Send a squad to the Academy immediately!" Hiruzen barked, his voice brooking no argument. "Keep these men under guard. If they make a single move, cut them down."
The Kumo shinobi were visibly confused and frightened. "We swear! We had nothing to do with this!" one of them protested. "The Raikage ordered us to sign for peace. He'd kill us if we betrayed his word!" another claimed.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, but he nodded slightly. "Inoichi, take them to T&I to confirm their story," he stated. "If not, kill them."
Inoichi nodded, getting up quickly as Anbu bound the Kumo shinobi and escorted them out. Hiruzen's gaze turned to his council beside him. "Shikaku, gather shinobi and have them investigate the matter. Search for the missing Kumo shinobi. Hiashi, send a squad to the academy. We need to ensure the next generation is safe."
"Should we destroy the treaty, Hokage-sama?" Koharu asked.
"No," Hiruzen turned to the Elder Council on his left. "We will keep it in case those Kumo shinobi are telling the truth. I want you three to draft a message for the Raikage. If his shinobi have truly betrayed him, we need to inform him of what has happened."
The Hokage then looked to everyone in the room under his command. His eyes were sharp and stern. "I am declaring an immediate lockdown of the village. No one can get in or out without my say. Do you understand?"
"Hai, Hokage-sama," the council members responded.
"Then, you are dismissed! Protect the village!" he shouted as everyone vanished. The old Hokage's thoughts turned to the worst, praying that no one got hurt. If so, there would be hell to pay.
KONOHA NINJA ACADEMY
Chaos reigned at the ninja academy. Iruka Umino, the school headmaster, was in a state of complete shock as he watched a group of students, including Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno, be engulfed in a blinding light.
"Naruto! Sasuke! Sakura!" Iruka cried out, his voice laced with fear for their safety, but the thunderous blast drowned it out.
Smoke and debris filled the air, pushing students and teachers alike to the ground. Iruka flew backward, slamming into the academy building wall.
His back felt like it was on fire, and he tasted blood in his mouth. Iruka slowly looked around, seeing the chaos. A large cloud of dust and smoke loomed over the area, blinding everyone, and cries could be heard all around him.
"What's happening?" Iruka said, standing up and holding his side. Before he could say anything else, several Konoha shinobi materialized around him.
One went to support Iruka while a familiar face, Ebisu, spoke to him. "Iruka, are you alright?"
"Yeah… I'll be fine, but what the hell is going on?!" Iruka grunted.
"We believe it was an attack by the Kumogakure shinobi, but we don't know for what purpose," Ebisu stated, taking a moment to notice the destruction around them. "What happened here? Are there any casualties?"
"I-I-I don't know," Iruka muttered. "But there were students near the epicenter. All I remember was the ground igniting and a flash of light. I don't even know if–"
"Look!" another shinobi shouted, pointing to a silhouette in the smoke.
Iruka and Ebisu watched anxiously while the rest of the shinobi focused on helping those affected by the explosion. After a few seconds, they could see white hair peering through the dust clouds and heard a voice.
"That bastard really tried to kill me," Naruto's voice echoed, strained yet defiant. He waved his hand, blowing the dust away from himself as he coughed.
Everyone's eyes widened in astonishment. Naruto was at the center of the blast, yet he stood unharmed.
"Naruto… are you alright?" Iruka called out. How is he still alive?
Ebisu pushed up his glasses. Looks like the demon is still alive but what about the other children?
Gradually, Naruto's silhouette became visible through the thinning smoke, his white hair a stark contrast to the devastation around him. He glanced around, calling out. "Something like that can't kill me," he replied snarkily. That was close… if I didn't get it up, I would've been dead.
However, another strange thing was happening. He couldn't sense Sasuke's presence anywhere around him. Hell, I can barely sense the people around me. Those paper bombs were laced with small amounts of disruption particles. It's blocking the effective range of sensors… These guys really had a plan, but still, what was the point?
Naruto looked around some more, starting to get annoyed as the dust cloud had yet to pass. "Yo, Sasuke! You can come out now and stop hiding."
There was no response, and Naruto's confusion grew. "Never took you for a scaredy-cat," he muttered, making light of the situation. "Come on out," he lifted his hand as a blue aura encased it, and the dust and smoke started to swirl before scattering up.
Onlookers watched as the area seemed to clear itself. However, when the dust settled, their eyes widened at the sight before them.
Naruto looked to his right, still not seeing Sasuke. He frowned, confused about where he could be. He then noticed the gaping faces of the shinobi around him. "Can't say I'm surprised. I would be shocked too."
Naruto's words snapped Iruka out of his shocked state. A serious expression crossed his face as he looked back at Naruto. The other shinobi got on one knee or hung their heads.
The white-haired kid frowned once more. What's his problem? Naruto then looked to his right and saw something that made his blood freeze.
On the ground next to him was the scorched and lifeless body of Sakura Haruno. Her clothes were scarred, her body mangled, and the smell of rotting flesh filled the air. He looked beyond her and saw the other fangirls lying injured, some with severe burns, others with flattened limbs from the explosion's force.
"I want my mommy," one cried, tears flowing down her scorched face, "I want my mommy…" she said before growing silent and still on the earth.
Naruto stood frozen, his mind struggling to process the scene before him. "What is this?" For the first time, he felt his body shaking. I didn't realize how close they were to me…
Everyone was horrified and stayed still. Ebisu turned his eyes away from the scene and met Iruka's saddened gaze. "Iruka… I…"
"We need to get them to the hospital. Some of them may still be alive," the school headmaster replied. He then spotted Kakashi's slumped body in the distance. He was battered but mostly unharmed. Iruka pointed urgently to two others. "Get him to the hospital."
Shinobi started to move and do their best to tend to the dying or dead children. No one touched or approached Naruto. He stood there, lost in the lifelessness of Sakura. The cries and groans of the injured echoed in his mind. That explosion wasn't anything big… they should've lived. His hand trembled, unable to shake the images from his mind.
Iruka moved to the still child, touching him on the shoulder. "Naruto, it's time to go. It's not your fault."
Naruto looked at him, seeing Iruka's lips move but hearing nothing. All he could hear were the cries of his classmates, a sound that would haunt him for a long time. What is this feeling?
KONOHA HOSPITAL
Lightning crackled, and the sound of flesh being torn filled Kakashi's ears. His lone Sharingan widened, recording every moment of Rin's grief-stricken face. He saw the blood pool from her lips and tears swell in her eyes.
"K-Kakashi," she croaked, coughing out more blood.
Tears fell from Kakashi's eyes as he felt his arm in her heart and her fading life force. "Rin…"
Rin coughed out a wave of blood, her eyes growing dim before her body went limp. Kakashi grabbed her shoulder as he pulled his blood-stained arm out of her chest.
He felt his body go weak, looking at her closed eyes and the gaping hole in her heart. He wobbled, letting go of her. Rin's body fell with a loud thud, the only noise piercing through the deafening rain.
"Rin…" he said before falling into a world of darkness.
In an instant, he opened his eyes, gasping for breath, his heart racing. He slowly got up, his mind still flooded with the image of Rin's face, her final moments replaying in a never-ending loop.
"Rin," he muttered, still disoriented. He looked around, spotting Hiruzen sitting by his bedside.
"Kakashi," the Hokage said somberly, "you've been out for a while. It's a miracle you survived that fall."
Memories of him and Yugao getting paralyzed, then the paper bombs going off, flashed through his head. He jumped up. "Hokage-sama, what happened? Where's Yūgao!?" Kakashi asked, his voice urgent, a hint of desperation creeping in.
"Calm down, Kakashi," Hiruzen said, his tone steady. "I'll tell you what happened, but you need to calm yourself."
Kakashi tried to control his breathing, his hands trembling slightly as he listened.
"We were attacked by a rogue faction of Kumo ninja sent to sign the peace treaty. Three members of the delegation party left while the treaty was being signed and enacted their plan. We've sent a messenger hawk to the Raikage and are working with the remaining Kumo shinobi to locate Yūgao and the others."
Kakashi's heart sank. "What others? What happened?" he demanded, fear and guilt evident in his eyes.
Hiruzen's expression grew somber. "There was an attack on the Academy. Several students were killed, and Sasuke Uchiha was taken captive. We believe Yugao was captured as well."
Kakashi clenched his fists, guilt, and regret washing over him like a tide. He felt the familiar weight of failure pressing down on him. "Hokage-sama, I can—"
Hiruzen interrupted him. "You need to rest, Kakashi. You took quite the fall and are lucky to be alive. We can't afford to lose another excellent shinobi. Additionally, search parties are looking for them as we speak. The village is in complete lockdown. No one can enter or exit the barrier without us knowing."
Reluctantly, Kakashi lay back down, his mind racing. He felt a hollow ache in his chest, knowing the enemy was still out there. The weight of his failures pressed down, making it hard to breathe.
"Do not blame yourself, Kakashi. I am the one to blame," Hiruzen stated. "I should've foreseen something like this. I'll be back later," he got up from his chair. "I need to speak with someone else."
Kakashi said nothing as Hiruzen left the room. His mind was a storm of memories and guilt. Rin's death repeated in his mind, her face overlapping with the faces of the students he had failed to protect. His hands trembled as he stared at them, remembering the feel of Rin's blood, now mingling with the imagined blood of the children.
Why am I always too late? Why can't I save those close to me?
The room felt suffocating, the weight of his failures pressing in from all sides. He could still hear Rin's voice, mingling with the cries of the injured students and Yugao.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…" he whispered to the empty room, the words a hollow echo of his deepest regrets.
HOKAGE'S OFFICE
Naruto stood in the Hokage's office, still in a daze. The horrific images of the dead and injured students played on a loop in his mind. He couldn't understand why their deaths affected him so deeply. They were just weaklings, why was he still thinking about them?
"Naruto," Hiruzen's voice broke through his thoughts, bringing him back to the present. "Anbu will be watching your every move. You are not to go anywhere without informing me. Do you understand?"
Naruto scowled. "I don't need them, old man. I just want to know about Sasuke. Where is he?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "We don't know at the moment, but rest assured, there are talented shinobi looking for him."
"Yeah right!" Naruto chastised, getting visibly annoyed. "Where were all these talented shinobi when everything went to crap? Screw it, I'll find him on my own!"
Hiruzen's tone turned firm. "No, Naruto. It's too dangerous for you to go after them. These aren't shinobi like Mizuki. I will not allow you to risk your life. I gave your parents my word that I would protect you, and that is what I plan to do."
"I can do it," Naruto stated desperation in his voice. His mask slightly cracked. "Don't underestimate me, I'm… strong."
Hiruzen looked at the boy. His body language was a mess, and he could see the frustration, guilt, pain, and anger etched across Naruto's face. "Naruto, I cannot let you do this. I know you feel guilty about what happened, but–"
"What do you know!? Don't act like you know me!" Naruto shouted, storming out of the office and slamming the door shut behind him.
Hiruzen watched him go, knowing that Naruto's anger wasn't directed at him but at himself. He sighed and turned his attention back to locating Sasuke and Yugao.
Naruto moved through the streets of Konoha rapidly, his senses searching far and wide for any trace of Sasuke. The old man's words replayed in his mind, igniting a burning frustration. Hiruzen still looked at him like he was weak like he was incapable of doing anything. He didn't care that the old man was technically right. He needed to prove himself and show that this system was flawed.
He didn't just need to find Sasuke—he needed to prove his worth.
As he leaped from rooftop to rooftop, he heard a deep growl echo from within his mind. "Why are you doing this, brat? Risking your neck for others doesn't seem like your style."
Naruto smiled, hearing Kurama's voice. "Look who decided to make themselves known. How's your nap been, Kurama-chan?"
The Kyūbi groaned. "It was going well until that explosion. But you didn't answer my question. Why are you searching for him, brat? I didn't think you two were friends."
"We… aren't," Naruto replied, his voice tinged with confusion. "Sasuke is a special talent. He's someone with the potential to rival me. I can feel it." He paused, a silent thought crossing his mind. He also knows what it means to be lonely.
Naruto got silent for a few moments before regaining his composure. "Plus, he's the only interesting thing in this village. I'd die from boredom without him."
Kurama scoffed, not believing his words. "You humans are so predictable. But regardless, all I wish to tell you is don't die."
"Oh, wow, Kurama-chan. I guess you do care about my well-being," Naruto teased, his tone light.
"I don't. But even though our chakras are not bound together, this seal is set up in a way that if you were to perish, I would die as well. The Yondaime was always an annoying bastard."
"Why do you care? Don't bijū reform after seven years?" Naruto questioned. "That's not even that big of a deal for you."
"It's not, but upon my resurrection, I would be hunted down only to be sealed inside another vessel," Kurama stated. "I will go to the ends of the earth if I have to so that I am truly free from you humans. All you do is fight for your selfish ideals, spreading pain and suffering. I don't wish to take part in this game any longer."
Naruto continued to jump from rooftop to rooftop. "The game is rigged for sure," he muttered, his mind drifting back to the carnage at the Academy. The sight of those lifeless bodies haunted him, their innocent faces now forever etched in his memory.
From inside his cage, Kurama perked up.
"I'll tell you a secret, Kurama-chan," Naruto said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The top of the shinobi world is garbage, especially in this village. Conservative fools. Traditional fools. Arrogant fools."
He thought about his time in the village and the countless idiots he had come across. The ninja academy was designed to make them foolish sheep who ate up the village's propaganda. Teaching them about 'love' rather than how to be strong or defend themselves. This mindset led to the attack and death of those girls. They died because they were weak, and he refused to let that happen again.
"I'm going to become the strongest to implement a new system. A system based on the strong. I won't allow anyone to be weak," he finished, his voice filled with determination.
"That's… interesting," the Kyūbi remarked.
Naruto smirked. "You sound like you don't believe me. It's not wise to underestimate me, ya know."
Kurama growled but said nothing, lost in thought about another, equally annoying, red-headed Uzumaki who would say the same phrase.
Naruto felt a surge of satisfaction in his 'victory' and continued onward. Yet a question ran across his mind: Why does it feel like Sasuke's chakra is everywhere and nowhere at the same time?
The child continued to jump from rooftop to rooftop, not ceasing in his search. Unbeknownst to Naruto, an older man with a thin mustache was listening nearby, suppressing his chakra.
"Hmph, that kid's got spirit, but I can't have him interfering with my plans," Naobito murmured. Without a noise, he disappeared, leaving no trace behind.
KONOHA KEIMU BUTAI
Naobito soon arrived in his office at the Konoha Military Police Force building. He hadn't used any space-time ninjutsu to get there; it was his natural speed using the Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique). His body ached as he walked through the wooden doors and took a seat. Too think at one time my speed was second to Nidaime, he mused. If it wasn't for the Yondaime, I would've been considered the fastest.
The old man snarled, annoyed at the thought, and began to peruse the papers on his desk while waiting for his scouts to return. As the Uchiha Clan head, he also served as the chief of the Police Force, a position he had filled with the Uchiha's distant cousins, the Fūma clan. Despite their inability to awaken the Sharingan, the Fūma clan proved useful with their proficiency in shurikenjutsu and the Demon Wind Shuriken.
Naobito's focus remained on locating Sasuke. When he first heard of his grandson's capture, he was livid—not out of concern for Sasuke but because it threatened his power play. He needed the boy and the Tokusa no Kage Bōjutsu to restore the Uchiha to their former strength.
The office, with its bland designs, reflected nothing of Naobito's ambitions. I can't believe Fugaku had the patience to sit in this chair all day, he thought. His boredom was interrupted by the approach of two presences.
Two Fūma clansmen appeared before his desk, heads bowed. "Uchiha-sama, our mission is complete. We have located Sasuke's whereabouts and instructed Kaori to pursue, as you ordered," Kōtarō Fūma reported.
A wide grin spread across Naobito's face. He could have had these two rescue the boy, but he needed an Uchiha to do it. This way, the clan would be in a better position to recover from the devastation of the Uchiha Massacre. He did not trust Hiruzen, whom he saw as a fool—too idealistic and soft. That was the only thing he and Danzo ever agreed on.
"Good. Now, enact the second phase of your mission," Naobito ordered. "I've spread that brat's scent all over the village. Not even those damn dogs can find him. I want you two to continue disrupting any attempts to locate him."
The two nodded before Eiki, the other Fūma member, spoke up. "Uchiha-sama, what about the other Jōnin woman who was captured?"
Naobito stroked his mustache, thinking. Yūgao Uzuki… she was in the Anbu if I remember correctly. His thoughts drifted to the council meeting where it was decided she and the Copycat Ninja would no longer be in the Anbu forces. He knew she was of no use to him, but she could be a means to gain favor with the Copycat Ninja. Observing the two, he could tell they were close—perhaps not romantically, but still close.
Naobito nodded, reaching a decision. "Eiki, find the Copycat and inform him of this knowledge. Kaori should have enough time to retrieve Sasuke. Kōtarō, continue with the second phase on your own. I don't want anyone interrupting my plans."
"Hai, Uchiha-sama!" they said before vanishing from his office.
Naobito leaned back, smiling. Normally, he would have left this woman to die without a second thought, but things were different now. The Uchiha clan was in shambles, and he needed to play the political game. The Copycat Ninja was one of the strongest, arguably the strongest, Jōnin in the village. Having him as a pawn would serve wonders.
Naobito chuckled to himself, so loudly that anyone who could hear and see him might think he'd lost his mind. These remaining years of his would most definitely be fun.
KONOHA MEMORIAL STONE
Kakashi stood silently before the Konoha Memorial Stone, examining the names of the fallen etched into its surface. His fingers traced over the familiar names, lingering on those of his fallen friends. Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara… Rin's name, always a painful reminder, seemed to stand out more today.
He sighed deeply. Memories of his old team flooded his mind. He remembered their laughter and the comradery. His mind then shifted to Obito and Rin, on he looked at her with unspoken love. Obito never told her how he felt, he thought bitterly. Just like I'll never be able to tell Yūgao.
Yūgao's face appeared in his mind, her determined eyes and kind smile. He clenched his fist, frustrated at his inability to protect her. The guilt of his failure gnawed at him, threatening to pull him under.
Kakashi closed his eyes, trying to calm the storm inside him. The weight of his failures felt unbearable. Am I destined to always be too late? he wondered. What's the point of it all?
As he stood there, lost in his thoughts, he recalled a lesson Minato-sensei tried to teach him so many years ago.
9 Years Ago…
The moonlight bathes the training ground in a silvery glow as Team Minato finishes completing a late-night training exercise to help them get better at fighting in the dead of night.
Minato looked at his team with a smile on his face. "Obito, Rin, you two did well tonight."
Rin jumped in joy, looking to her right where Obito beamed with pride, puffing out his chest.
"Hahaha! You see that! I knew we could do it!" he exclaimed, putting his fists in the air. Obito then got a scowl on his face and turned his head to the right. "It would've been better if HE helped us."
Everyone turned their direction to the lone student, leaning against a tree, arms crossed, and watching them with a serious expression.
"Don't get too full of yourself, Obito. You still tripped over your own feet twice," Kakashi stated.
Obito's face turned red with anger. "Shut up, Kakashi! At least I'm not a cold-hearted jerk who only cares about rules!"
Rin quickly spoke up, placing a calming hand on Obito's shoulder. "Obito, calm down. We're a team, remember?"
Minato watched the exchange with a thoughtful expression. Still need to work on their teamwork, he thought. "Alright, everyone. You're free to leave for the night. Good work."
Obito shot Kakashi a glare, but Kakashi ignored it, looking off into the distance. This only infuriated Obito more. "You think you're so much better than everyone else, don't you?"
Rin gently pulled Obito away, whispering soothing words to calm him down. "Come on, Obito. Let's go."
Minato watched as Rin and Obito walked away, he could hear Obito proclaiming that he would become Hokage. Minato smiled and turned his attention back to Kakashi who hadn't moved. He walked over to the young boy.
Kakashi turned and stood up straight, correcting his posture in front of his sensei. "Sensei," he said.
"You can relax Kakashi," Minato chuckled. "We're not on a mission so you don't have to be so formal. You can just call me Minato-sensei."
Kakashi nodded before returning to his serious and stoic gaze. There was an awkwardness between the two causing Minato to shift before finally thinking of the right thing to say.
"You don't have to be serious all the time. There's more to the shinobi life than training," Minato said.
"A shinobi's duty is to carry out missions and serve their Kage," Kakashi retorted. "Our lives consist of nothing but training unless we wish to die."
I should've figured he would say something like that, Minato pondered. "Kakashi, I know what happened to your father but you have to let go of that burden. I don't want you to miss out on the joys of life. To make friends with your new comrades"
Kakashi slightly flinched at the mention of his father. The memory of his corpse in their living room flashed into his head.
"I know you feel the weight of the past. But there's one thing I want you to remember: the people we hold dear give our lives meaning. They're not just comrades or friends; they are what make us fight with all our might. Protecting those you love isn't just a duty—it's a reflection of who you are. Strength is not measured solely by power but by the connections we forge and the resolve to defend them. When the time comes, you must be willing to sacrifice for those you cherish. It's through those sacrifices that we truly grow stronger."
He took a step closer, looking directly into Kakashi's eye, hoping to convey the seriousness of his words while still showing him the warmth of his belief. Kakashi looked at him briefly before diverting his gaze.
Minato internally sighed and smiled at Kakashi. "Well, uh, I'll see you later, enjoy the day off tomorrow," he said before heading home.
The young Chūnin watched as his sensei journeyed home. Kakashi could see there was this aura around him that radiated peace and happiness. "Is that why he's so strong? Because he fights for those he cherishes," he spoke aloud.
Kakashi said nothing more as he walked home in the dead of night.
Present…
Kakashi's gaze shifted back to the names on the memorial, his mind returning to the present. "I understand now Minato-sensei. What you were trying to tell me all those years ago."
He drew a deep breath, his chest expanding as he closed his eyes to gather his thoughts. His shoulders squared as he straightened his posture, every muscle tensing with a determined energy.
"I can't afford to sit around here and wait for something to happen. That would be a disservice to them," he whispered to himself. "I'll honor their memory by doing what I can to protect those who are still with us. I won't let my past dictate my future."
Kakashi's eyes snapped open, his gaze resolute. He adjusted his headband with a deliberate motion, the cool metal a reminder of his duty. His Sharingan activated its red glow a beacon of his commitment.
"I am Kakashi of the Sharingan, the Copycat Ninja!" he declared aloud, his voice steady and resolute. The words rang clear in the evening air, a promise to himself and to those he had lost. "I won't fail."
The ground seemed to shift beneath his feet as he vanished in a swirl of leaves, the echoes of his declaration lingering in the air. He was no longer the shinobi burdened by his past. He was a warrior ready to forge his future, driven by the memory of those he had lost and the commitment to those he would protect.
KONOHA UNKNOWN LOCATION
Sasuke Uchiha slowly opened his eyes, feeling dirt on his face, and couldn't see a single thing around him. He tried moving his arms but felt the grip of rope, tied around his wrists.
What's going on? Where am I? He thought, trying to recall what happened before he got here. All he remembers was an explosion and everything going black.
Sasuke looked around in his new location, he couldn't tell if he was still in the village as it seemed like they were in a makeshift fox due to the lack of light and dirt around him. I guess I've been taken hostage… it must've been the foreign shinobi ojisama was talking about.
As he continued to assess his surroundings, he spotted an unconscious Jōnin woman with long purple hair. Unlike him, her arms, legs, and mouth were bound tightly.
Sasuke looked around once more, spotting an opening just above him. I need to get out of here, he thought, trying to loosen the binds on his wrist. His captives had done a piss poor job of tying him up and after many minutes of struggling, he was close to freeing himself.
However, he heard footsteps rapidly approaching and he quickly pretended to be unconscious. Sasuke felt light fall on his face as loud thuds got closer.
"Shit man, what are we going to do!?" one said, nervously. "They've locked down the entire place!"
"Will you shut up before you alert every Konoha shinobi to our position," the other responded.
"Don't yell at me!"
"I'll keep yelling at you for as long as I like"
Maybe I can get away while they're arguing, Sasuke thought. He moved his hands again as the rope was now loose. Just as he was about to sink into the shadows, a thought shot across his mind. Wait, what about her?
Sasuke found himself presented with a tough dilemma, that he was unable to act on as another deeper voice entered the foxhole.
"Both of you shut up before I kill you," the voice growled.
The two Kumo shinobi stopped their bickering and turned their attention to the Head Ninja.
The Head Ninja looked beyond them to the tied-up bodies of Sasuke and Yūgao. "We were supposed to grab the Hyūga heiress. Who is this kid?"
"He's a part of the Uchiha. The Hyūga girl was too guarded to grab her," one replied.
So they were after Hinata? Sasuke thought.
The Head Ninja looked annoyed as their target was the girl. Although the brat was a part of the Uchiha clan, they had no way of knowing if he even had a Sharingan. "Who's the kunoichi and why is she still alive?"
"She's some sensor. She and the Copycat Ninja were about to discover us," one admitted. "We had to do something."
"Ok but why is she still alive?" the Head Ninja replied. "We don't need any more dead weight."
It got real silent and Sasuke was extremely confused as to what was going on. What are they planning to do to her?
"Well… you see… Kai and I thought we could have some fun with her," the Kumo shinobi stated. "It would be a waste to let her sexy body go untouched. Give her a good time before she's dead."
Sasuke could feel their lust magnify and his blood started to boil. He tried to keep his anger under control but was finding it very difficult. These guys… they're evil. His clenched fists started shaking so much that it caused the Head Ninja to look over in his direction.
Sasuke quickly controlled himself but the Head Ninja kept looking in his direction.
The two other shinobi noticed it. "What is it?"
The Head Ninja turned his attention back to the two, thinking it was his imagination. "Nothing…"
"So what do you say?" Kai asked, lust full in his voice.
"I don't care what you do with her, just make sure she's dead at the end," the Head Ninja replied. "We've already wasted too much time and can't afford to miss our window with the Kusagakure smugglers."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. That Uzumaki girl right? The one who can use reserved chakra techniques?"
"Yes, she's the one. We're going to get paid handsomely for the Uchiha and Uzumaki. But get your use out of that woman and meet me five miles up north," the Head Ninja said. "I'll take the Uchiha kid with me and don't be late."
The other Kumo shinobi giggled like children and Sasuke could hear the sound of pants unzipping. He then heard the steps of someone getting closer.
What am I to do? I can't sit by and let them do this but… can I beat them? Sasuke thought, his mind racing.
Time seemed to move at a snail's pace as he debated on what he should do. He heard the shuffling of bodies and could feel them reaching out to grab her and violate her.
NO! His thoughts screamed. I can't sit by and let this happen! I refuse!
The Head Ninja reached for Sasuke, his hand stretching out for eternity, but in a blur of motion, Sasuke broke free, pivoting on his hands, and launching a vicious kick.
The kick connected with a resounding thud, causing the Head Ninja's head to snap back. "Urghh," he groaned, the flash of pain and shock caused everything to slow down around him.
"What the–," Kai said, turning to see the advancing kid. "I'll get you, you brat!"
From Sasuke's perspective, the shinobi moved in slow motion. I can see their movements, he evaded the attacker's hand, ducking and launching a punch right into his groin.
Kai cried out in pain as Sasuke's fist was buried deep in his scrotum and he fell to his knees. With his Sharingan still ablaze, Sasuke dodged another take, gracefully sidestepping and then somersaulting over the attacker. He landed next to Yugao's body and quickly placed his hand on her before they sank into the shadows.
"What the–" the other Kumo shinobi asked, confused as to what had happened. It all went done in quick succession.
The Head Ninja regained his composure with a pissed-off look while Kai squirmed on the ground holding his balls.
"You two are lucky I didn't kill you two, right here on the spot!" the Head Ninja gruffed. "Find the boy and kill the woman! I'm going after the Uzumaki. Don't return to me unless you have the boy," he threatened before leaving.
The Kumo shinobi gulped before pulling up his pants and grabbing Kai. The two regathered themselves before taking off to find the kid.
Once they were gone, Sasuke emerged from the shadows with Yugao. Once they were on solid ground, he started breathing heavily. I didn't think there was a weight limit to what I could hold within my shadow. He took another deep breath. It looks like I can only carry what my body can handle.
He turned his attention to the purple-haired Jōnin; using his Sharingan he examined her chakra network he saw that something wasn't right. She's under a genjutsu. This explains why she hasn't woken up yet. Sasuke frowned, I wish I knew how to release it.
With a sigh, he deactivated his Sharingan to conserve chakra and carried her outside, exiting the foxhole only to find himself in a forest. He looked up to see that the sun was on the verge of setting. Blue skies gave way to dark orange and pink hues on the horizon.
It looks like it has been a few hours. He looked at the sun's position and determined that to get back to Konoha he needed to go southeast. I don't think I can carry her for that long… I wonder if it can.
Sasuke gently put her body against a tree, before bringing his hands together and forming a hand seal that resembled a toad shadow puppet.
"Gama", he concentrated his chakra and his shadow started to expand as a creature began to rise from the depths.
In mere moments, a dark green human-sized frog, bigger than Sasuke, with marks around its eyes and a strange symbol. It was the Okitsukagami (the Mirror of the Deep).
He recently tamed this shikigami under the instruction of his grandfather. From the little training he had done with this shikigami, he learned it was best suited for support. The shikigami could conceal its presence and also hide people with its mouth.
"Hide her," he said awkwardly. He wasn't used to commanding his shikigami. They could read his thoughts but he didn't feel comfortable with that.
Gama extended his tongue, wrapping up the unconscious Jōnin, and bringing her into its mouth.
Sasuke started to head back with Gama until he remembered what one of those Kumogakure shinobi had said. That girl… who is she and what is reversed chakra? They said she's an Uzuamki. Does Naruto know who she is?
He stood still realizing that he faced another dilemma: go after the girl or return to the village. Risk his life and this Jōnin to save one person or do nothing and let fate have her.
"This world isn't fair," he muttered to himself. "Saving one person while sacrificing another, it isn't right. But what should I do?"
Suddenly, Naruto's voice echoed in his mind: "Be selfish." The words cut through his turmoil like a sharp blade. His head shot upward and his gaze hardened. "Be selfish…" he repeated. He looked at Gama once more and knew what he needed to do.
KONOHA FOREST
Kaori Uchiha moved swiftly through the forest, jumping from tree branch to tree branch in search of her nephew.
I hope I can find Sasuke before it's too late, she thought, her breath visible in the cool air as she whistled past the tree branches. He's been through so much already and for this to happen… I don't want to lose him.
She had been searching for nearly an hour. A member of the Fūma clan had informed her of the mission, which she assumed was orchestrated by her tousan. No one else had this information, nor had she been sent with a team. Kaori's concern for her nephew outweighed any other motive. All she cared about was finding Sasuke and bringing him back before anything worse happened.
She traveled the terrain for a few more minutes before arriving at the location. There were tracks in the ground, that looked like a set of two. Two guards… there must be something nearby. She activated her Sharingan and looked at the footsteps.
Her two tomoe danced with ferocity as they analyzed the footsteps. They lead to a location up ahead, she crouched down, carefully moving forward, and surveying the area.
Kaori eventually finds a small opening with some leaves covering the top, she brushes the foliage aside and makes contact with the makeshift foxhole. She hopped in and examined the small area. She is met with the sight of broken rope, lines in the ground, body imprints, and footprints scattered around.
I think Sasuke was here alongside another person, most likely an adult. She wasn't exactly a sensor but her Sharingan could see small traces of Sasuke's cellular DNA. Looks like there was a struggle but where did Sasuke go?
Kaori emerged from the foxhole, realizing there was nothing else for her in there. The sun dipped below the horizon, and nightfall approached. I need to find Sasuke before it gets too dark. She was abruptly pulled from her thoughts when a hand clamped around her midsection, restricting her movement.
"Look at that," a voice drawled. "Lost one Uchiha, only to catch another. Looks like luck's on my side. Kai, come over here!"
Kaori struggled, but the grip was too strong. She was just a child, and the man holding her was a grown shinobi.
"Let go of me!" she shouted, trying to break free.
The Kumo shinobi just laughed as he continued to wait for his associate to arrive. In a quick second, Kai appeared in front of the two.
"Look what I caught?"
Kai smirked, "Let's forget about that other kid, let's take the girl and get the hell out of–"
A burst of blue lightning erupted from Kai's chest, causing him to gasp and stagger. Crimson liquid trickled from his lips while the grass became stained with blood.
Kaori and the Kumo shinobi's eyes widened as they watched lightning pulse from the gaping hole in Kai's chest. There was an outline of a man behind him but they couldn't see who it was.
Kai slowly turned his head behind him, feeling his life force fading away. "Y-y-ou're–" he croaked again, feeling the hand exit his body. He then fell to the earth and became still on the stained grass.
Who is that? Kaori stared in shock, her eyes wide as the figure of the assailant emerged from the shadows. The figure walked forward with deliberate steps, each one resonating with authority. The Kumo shinobi, terrified, drew a kunai and pressed it to Kaori's neck.
"S-s-stay back!" he ordered, his voice trembling.
Kaori thought she saw a flicker of Sharingan before the figure disappeared, along with the hold on her. She collapsed, gasping for air, and took a few moments to recollect herself.
"Are you alright?" a deep voice then asked her.
Kaori looked up to see the dead body of her captor and a man with silver hair and a mask covering most of his face. He had a Konoha hitai-ate and his left eye bore a mature Sharingan.
"Who are you?" she asked nervously. The man had the Sharingan but not the typical Uchiha appearance.
Kakashi gave her a reassuring smile, his eye crinkling into a 'smile'. "I'm Kakashi. I'm here to help."
Kaori hesitated before taking his hand. "Thank you. I'm Kaori. Do you know where they went?"
Kakashi nodded, and a new voice chimed in. "They're headed north, a few miles from here."
Kaori looked around, confused.
"Down here," the voice said.
She looked down to see a small pug wearing a blue shinobi outfit and hitai-ate.
"Did that dog just talk?" she asked, bewildered.
The pug, appearing annoyed, snapped, "Yeah, and what of it? You got a problem with dogs?"
"Uh, no," Kaori said awkwardly.
"Pakkun, focus," Kakashi said, glancing at the pug. "We have a mission to complete. Kaori-san, stay close and follow my lead. We'll handle this together."
Kaori nodded, and the two set off into the night.
"IS THIS A JOKE!?" Naruto bellowed, his frustration palpable. He had been scouring the village for over an hour and still hadn't found Sasuke.
Each time he thought he'd caught a lead, it turned out to be a dead end—random scraps of clothing or scrolls with residual chakra.
He tossed the scroll he just stumbled across into the air with exaggerated flair. "Seriously? Is someone trying to pull a prank on me? This is ridiculous!"
From the depths of Naruto's mind, Kurama watched the chaos with a mixture of amusement and confusion. He rested his head on his paw, annoyed by the spectacle. He didn't understand why this brat was so adamant on rescuing the Uchiha especially since they weren't friends.
Humans are odd creatures, he thought. Why go through all this trouble for someone who isn't even a friend? He could sense Naruto's emotions—annoyance, arrogance, and pridefulness, but also a surprising amount of guilt and anxiety. He knew that Naruto was chasing nothing and going around in a circle but the brat hadn't learned this yet. Kurama could sense the Uchiha boy was in the northern part of the village.
The Kyūbi sighed, having had enough of this game. "You've been chasing nothing this entire time. The Uchiha is nowhere near you. He is in the northern forest of your village."
"Wait, what?" Naruto glared at the space around him. "And you're telling me this now? What's the big idea, Kurama?"
"I figured you'd figure it out eventually, given how you claim to be the smartest around. But apparently, I overestimated you. Now, get moving," Kurama said with a dismissive tone. "It's not like I care. I just don't get why you're making such a big deal out of this."
Naruto's eyes narrowed, a confident smirk spreading across his face as he tossed his glasses aside. "Remind what I said about underestimating me? Watch as I wipe that smug look off your face."
Does he ever shut up? Kurama thought.
He focused his energy, his expression shifting to one of intense concentration, though it was paired with an air of playful arrogance. His senses expanded, and his Rikugan flared to life, processing the incoming information with lightning speed.
Naruto extended his senses and tuned into Sasuke's signature, feeling the heat, the jolt of electricity, and the void-like feeling. His eyes gleamed with a blue glow.
"Looks like I win," Naruto said with a grin.
Kurama shook his head. "Fool"
Just a little longer now Sasuke, Naruto thought. He went through many hand signs before clasping his hands together and being 'pulled' away.
KONOHA NORTHERN FOREST
Sasuke moved silently through the forest, his form melding with the shadows. The night was his ally, cloaking him in darkness as he crept closer to the camp. Any head-on engagement wouldn't be ideal, especially since needed to keep his concentration on his technique. He had left Gama and the jōnin at a safe distance—200 meters was too close for comfort but the limit of his current ability.
The murmur of voices reached his ears, and he pressed on. Scaling a tree with fluid grace, he perched on a branch, the dim glow of the campfire below casting flickering shadows.
From his vantage point, Sasuke saw five shinobi gathered around a fire—a Head Kumo ninja and four Kusagakure shinobi, engaged in a tense discussion.
"You're lucky we didn't leave," a tall Kusagakure shinobi with dark hair snapped. "You're wasting our time."
The Head Ninja waved off the comment. "We encountered complications, but we're ready to receive what we paid for. I'd like to see a demonstration of her abilities."
Sasuke's focus sharpened. Looks like I'm just in time. He scanned the area for the captive. What does an Uzumaki look like? Do they all have white hair like Naruto?
After searching for a little longer, he spotted a girl with short red hair and brown glasses, about his age. His gut twisted as he watched as the tall Kusa shinobi grabbed the young girl's arm. The girl tugged defiantly until a strong and decisive slap traveled across her face causing the girl to stumble and fall to the floor. She slowly picked up her now cracked lenses before the tall Kusagakure shinobi pulled down her shirt's arm sleeve. Another Kusa shinobi then bit into her flesh and the girl cried out in pain, tears flowing down her eyes. Visible chakra seemed to drain out and flow into the biting man.
Sasuke's jaw and fists clenched, his knuckles white. Bastards… is this how other villages treat prisoners? Regardless of nation, we're still human and deserve fairness. But these, they're not guys aren't human… they're monsters who need to be punished. No child should be treated like this.
He almost leaped out of his hiding spot to attack them but hesitated when doubt crept into the back of his mind. Can I do this? These guys are Jōnin… I'm not even a genin.
Memories of his mother's death flashed before him–her lifeless body, the pain of being powerless to save her as he watched the masked man snap her neck. It's not about if I can… I have to do this.
Karin could barely hear herself over the man's grotesque slurping as he continued to bite into her arm. "Stop it!" she cried, her fists pounding uselessly against him. "Please!" she sobbed, her voice breaking with desperation.
The other shinobi laughed cruelly as the man finally released her, standing up with a satisfied smirk. Her skin began to heal, flaking off and revealing fresh flesh underneath.
"Stop crying!" the tall Kusagakure shinobi barked, shoving her to the ground.
"I've never seen medical ninjutsu like that before," The Head Kumo Ninja lied, already knowing her gifts. So that was reversed chakra? These fools don't realize the goldmine they have. He tossed a heavy bag at the tall Kusagakure shinobi. "Here's your payment."
The tall shinobi caught the bag, a greedy smile spreading across his face. The Kumo Head Ninja mirrored the expression. "Idiot," he muttered.
Another Kusa shinobi moved to grab Karin. She fought and resisted, but her efforts were in vain.
"No!" she sobbed, her pleas met with cruel laughter. Please, I don't want to be taken. I don't want this anymore! Someone, anyone, save me!
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"
The camp erupted into chaos as everyone turned toward the source of the voice. A massive fireball hurtled toward them, forcing the shinobi holding Karin to release her and vanish to avoid the flames.
Karin's heart pounded in her chest, the heat of the fireball washing over her. She closed her eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek. Maybe this nightmare is finally over, was the last thing she thought as the fireball crashed into the campsite.
Kakashi and Kaori snapped to attention at the sound of fire crashing into trees.
"That must be Sasuke," Kaori said, leaping to another tree branch.
"It came from one klick ahead. I'm getting the smell of seven other people around him," Pakkun stated.
Kakashi nodded, his expression serious. "We need to hurry."
The Kusagakure shinobi and the Head Kumo Ninja reappeared shortly after the fireball collided with the trees.
"What the hell happened?" one of them demanded. "Who's attacking us?" another shouted, looking around frantically.
"Hey! Look!" one of the shinobi pointed, eyes wide.
They all turned to see a kid with a long-sleeved black shirt bearing the Uchiha crest on his back. The boy glanced back at them, his face partially illuminated by the fire's glow, before disappearing into the forest.
"It's that boy," the Head Ninja cursed. "We need to go after him!" he barked, his voice filled with urgency.
"Why would we do that?" one of the Kusagakure shinobi asked, hesitating.
"Because if he doesn't die and returns, Konoha will invade your pathetic village and burn it to the ground," the Head Ninja snarled, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
The Kusagakure shinobi gulped, fear evident on their faces, before they took off after the boy, desperate to save their hides.
Karin thought she was dead. Her body shook and seemed to float; she believed an angel was carrying her soul to heaven. When she opened her eyes, she was in the arms of a boy with black hair and a fierce expression.
"Who are you?" she managed to ask, looking around to see the same trees, realizing she was still alive.
Before he could answer, they heard the heavy footsteps of their pursuers. Sasuke cursed under his breath. "I thought I had more time."
"Get back here!" they cried out, hurling ninja tools to incapacitate him but not to kill him. He was too valuable to be killed.
Sasuke grunted, attempting to evade the high-speed projectiles. He couldn't use his Sharingan, lest he wanted to expose where Gama was hiding with that Jōnin.
He twisted his body, putting the girl out of harm's way. A sharp pain spread across his right leg as a kunai nicked him causing blood to trickle down.
"Why are you–?" Karin started, but her words were cut as Sasuke continued to move and evade the attacks despite his growing injuries.
The Kumo shinobi grew angrier and more determined, deciding to use lethal force. An assailant moved at high speeds, too quick for Sasuke to dodge or even see the attack. He grunted, feeling a sharp and throbbing pain flare across his back. This caused him to slip and stumble off a tree branch with Karin.
They tumbled through trees, grass, and mud until hitting a tree stump hard. Sasuke gasped for air as his back hit the wood, feeling blood trickle down his forehead. Karin, on the other hand, came out unharmed as Sasuke took the brunt of the damage. He had several cuts on his body, and his clothes were torn.
The shinobi pursuing him quickly arrived and cornered him. "You've got spirit kid?" one of the shinobi said. "But that won't be enough to get out of this."
Despite being surrounded, Sasuke slowly stood up; he had to do this.
"You're risking your life over some stupid girl," the tall Kusa shinobi laughed. "She isn't worth that much."
This kid… the Head Kumo Ninja thought, watching Sasuke stand there injured. We shouldn't underestimate him… there's something off about him.
Other shinobi joined in on the laughter. "Why are you going this fair to save her?"
Karin looked scared while Sasuke stared at the enemy before him.
These guys… they're acting so damn superior but their minds are as empty as a vacant lot… They're all evil and I hate evil people… he shifted to a fighting stance.
"Oh so you're going to fight us, eh?" they said, bursting into laughter once more.
Karin was shocked. "W-w-why are you…?" she was speechless. To see someone go this far, no less a stranger, go this far for her.
He extended his arms outward and took a wide stance as blue chakra began to radiate off his body, resonating with the very essence of his being. The sound of its hums could be heard across the group.
The attackers were applauded and shocked by the amount of chakra the boy was emanating. No kid should have this much chakra.
"The only thing granted equally to all is an unfair reality," Sasuke spoke, his voice tearing through the tension like a blade.
"What is he talking about?" one shinobi muttered, looking around at his comrade's confused faces.
Tears welled in Karin's eyes as she watched Sasuke with a mixture of awe and concern, while the Head Kumo ninja maintained his composed demeanor, but his eye betrayed a hint of anticipation.
"I want more good people to enjoy fairness, even if only a few. That's why... I'll be selfish and save people unequally," Sasuke declared, his eyes brimming with determination and resolve.
A wave of chakra erupted from Sasuke, shaking the attackers and Karin to their core. Karin marveled at the sheer power coursing through the air, a sensation unlike any she had ever felt.
Everyone prepared themselves for what was about to happen, but at that moment, water sprung from the ground, covering the feet of every combatant. The sound of lightning crackled followed as the Head Ninja realized what was happening.
He leaped into the air, watching the rest of the shinobi get electrocuted, their insides frying before dropping dead. From the corner of his eye, he saw a blur of speed then emerge from the canopies. He braced himself for a fight but didn't know it was already over.
The sound of metal tearing through flesh echoed as the Head Ninja felt a searing pain through his chest and a sword erupted through him. His eyes went cold as his body fell to the ground.
Impacting the hard floor, Kaori was crouched on top of the man with her sword still through his back. She stood up and removed the blade, wiping off the blood and sheathing her weapon. Sasuke looked at his aunt with a heartfelt expression, shocked yet glad to see her.
But then he heard rustling in the trees and turned to see a tall man with silvery-white hair and a single Sharingan staring right at them. Karin hid behind Sasuke while the stranger continued walking forward, the lightning coating his right hand dying down.
"It's fine Sasuke," Kaori said, "he saved and helped me find you."
Sasuke slowly nodded, feeling the adrenaline pass over him, giving way to exhaustion. "That's good to hear…" He collapsed to the floor but Kaori moved just in time to catch him. "T-t-thanks," he mumbled.
She smiled back at him. "Of course. We're family and family doesn't leave their own behind." She put his arm around her shoulder and helped Sasuke stand. "Who's your friend?" she asked, motioning to Karin.
"I-I don't know but she needed help and I couldn't sit by and do nothing," he responded.
Kaori flicked his forehead causing Sasuke to wince and rub the spot.
"Owww."
"That was selfish of you! You could've died and gotten her killed!"
"Yeah, it was selfish… but sometimes you have to be selfish if you want to save people unequally."
Kaori narrowed her eyes and shot dangers at Sasuke who recoiled under her pressure while Karin watched curiously. Kakashi got closer to the three. Under the mask he had a smile on his face, however, he had yet to find his person of interest.
"Did you happen to come across a female kunoichi? She had long purple hair," Kakashi asked.
Sasuke nodded and shortly after, Gama emerged from the trees. The shikigami opened its mouth and released Yugao. Upon doing so it dissolved back into the shadows causing Sasuke to almost pass out from the amount of strain he exerted.
Kakashi quickly moved to Yūgao, unbinding and releasing her from the genjutsu. The dilation returned to her eyes as she jumped in a panic. "What's–"
Kakashi grabbed her arms. "It's alright, you're–" he couldn't finish as she buried her head into his chest and hugged him tightly.
The three children watched the two adults awkwardly. Kakashi noticing their glances got up with Yūgao still holding him tightly. He held her bridal style and looked at the children. "Will you three be alright with back to the Hokage?"
"Hai, Kakashi-san," Kaori said. "I'll take them there."
Kakashi nodded before he and Yūgao disappeared into the night.
"Let me help," Karin said as she moved to grab Sasuke's other arm and help him walk.
"Thank you," Sasuke managed to get out.
Karin felt her face become warm, "No, thank you. If you hadn't saved me I wouldn't be here. Thank you as well…" she looked at Kaori.
"It's Kaori and he's Sasuke," she replied. "What's your name?"
"It's Karin," she replied, feeling something she hadn't felt in a long time–happiness.
The three smiled at each other and began the journey back to the Hokage's office.
The landscape began to shift and shrink as Hiruzen pulled back from the crystal ball. Despite what had transpired, he had a smile on his face. "I guess everything happens for a reason."
"Don't get sentimental on me Sarutobi. I told you that everything would be fine," Naobito replied. "Now let's get a drink. I've been itching for something strong." The old Uchiha got up and stretched his arms before.
Hiruzen sighed, knowing this would be a long night. But he figured he might as well enjoy it. He got up and placed his Hokage hat on the table before joining Naobito.
Naobito raised an eyebrow and then chuckled. "But as I was saying, she had the largest breasts I'd ever seen. I'm telling you they were like…" his voice trailed off as they walked further from his office and out the doors, ready to enjoy themselves.
Kakashi carried Yūgao through the forest, the weight of unspoken words heavy between them. The silence was thick, filled with the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of nocturnal animals. Finally, Yūgao broke it. "Kakashi, I..."
Before she could continue, Kakashi began to apologize. "I'm sorry, Yugao. I should have been more alert to what was happening. It's my fault that you got captured. I should have–"
Yūgao silenced him by pulling down his mask and kissing him. Kakashi was taken by complete surprise, causing his foot to slip on the tree branch. They tumbled down onto the ground, startling nearby animals.
Kakashi found himself lying on his back in the grass, with Yugao on top of him. "Wait, what are you–"
She put a finger on his lips, silencing him for a second time. "No more talking," she whispered, her eyes filled with emotion.
Kakashi's heart raced as he looked into her eyes, seeing the concern and love that mirrored his own. He gently moved her hand away from his lips. "Yūgao, I need to say this. I wasn't honest with my emotions. I've always tried to keep them hidden, thinking it would make things easier, but it hasn't."
Yugao listened, her eyes searching his face.
"I was reminded of my old teammate, Obito," Kakashi continued, his voice heavy with emotion. "He died before he could tell the person he loved how he felt about her. He always thought there would be more time, but there wasn't. I don't want that to happen to us."
Yūgao's expression softened as she saw the pain and sincerity in his eyes. "Kakashi…"
"I've been so afraid of losing you that I pushed you away," Kakashi said, his voice breaking. "But the truth is, I care about you more than I can put into words. I don't want to lose you without you knowing how much you mean to me."
Yūgao felt tears welling up in her eyes as she leaned down, her forehead resting against his. "Kakashi, you won't lose me. I care about you too. More than anything."
Kakashi closed his eyes, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "I don't want to waste any more time. I want to be with you, fully and honestly."
Yugao smiled through her tears. "Then stop talking and show me."
Kakashi opened his eyes and pulled her into another kiss, this time slower, more deliberate, filled with all the emotions he had kept locked away. They stayed in the forest for a long time, holding onto each other as if they never wanted to let go.
KONOHA NORTHERN FOREST
The trio of Sasuke, Karin, and Kaori made their way back to Konoha. Today had been a long one but it ended in a good manner. However, an unbeknownst threat was lurking.
"Urghh," a battered Kusagakure shinobi said, limping forward. He had been able to survive the electrification. He spotted the unsuspecting trio of children, their backs facing him. He grunted before pulling out a kunai.
Like a wounded animal, he cried out and rushed forward. "I'LL KILL YOU!"
Kaori, Karin, and Sasuke's hearts dropped when they heard the cry.
Yet, in the merest heartbeat, the shinobi was flattened, its lifeblood painting the earth. Beneath it, the ground bore the imprint of an unseen force, the serpent reduced to a crimson smear.
"Wow, that was your best attempt. I thought a Jōnin who be more of a challenge, looks like you're just weak."
They stared, wide-eyed, as Naruto stood, hand outstretched, eyes ablaze with an otherworldly glow walked forward.
"The strongest is here! Prepare yourself–" Naruto spotted mid-sentence as he looked around seeing no more enemies. "Where is everyone?" he had sensed at least 6 combatants, however, the only people here were two girls and Sasuke, they were looking at him strangely. There was a girl with red hair and brown glasses on his right and a girl with long black hair to his left.
What was that? He took him out in an instant, Kaori thought, her heart racing. Who is he? He looks younger than me but he has a nice face… he's kind of cute.
That white hair… is he from the Uzumaki clan? Karin questioned. I wonder if there are other survivors.
"Naruto… what are you doing?" Sasuke asked, eyebrow raised.
"I am here to rescue you of course," he smirked, exuding confidence. "Don't tell me you were scared?"
Sasuke was surprised at this revelation. Naruto came here… to rescue me? He's late but at least the thought counts. "No… I wasn't scared. You're an hour late, though."
"Hey, I've got a busy schedule so don't blame me if I'm short on time," Naruto lied with a playful grin.
Sasuke rolled his eyes while Naruto laughed but then the white-haired kid turned his gaze to the two girls supporting Sasuke up. "But…"
Kaori and Karin felt his intense gaze, feeling the power radiating from them.
"Who the hell are you two!?" Naruto shouted. "Are you trying to steal my glory!?"
"Huh," the two girls deadpanned.
"We don't even know who you are," Kaori stated.
Naruto's smile got wider, examining their twitching eyelids. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto!" he said putting a thumbs up. "The strongest!"
Never mind, he's an idiot, they thought in unison.
/END OF CHAPTER/
Thanks be to God. He answered my prayers and helped me fix this chapter. When I first wrote it, it was a mess. This is much better, although, the story does feel rushed/fast-paced towards the end (it's mid). I want to set the record straight that Yugao WAS NOT SAed (Super Amped Elemental Discharged… lol shout out to my fellow fifth fleet hunters). I don't like writing stuff like that and believe that cases where a character does get SAed needs to be handled carefully. Moving onto another decision I made, that being to use Naruto as a comedic device. I too did not fully like the idea but I thought it appropriate since I needed to develop other characters, primarily Sasuke, Karin, Kaori, and Kakashi. Additionally, I don't think he would go out of his way to save anymore that he doesn't have plans for hence I needed Sasuke to save Karin. Again, Naruto's character development will happen over time. The first half of Part I is Sasuke-centric but the second half of Part I is Naruto-centric. That's my defense, you can take it or leave it but let me know what you think of how the story is progressing in a review or PM. I've also realized that I am getting burnt out writing these chapters. I have a completed outline, but when I sit down to write I feel unmotivated. I want to write more stories as I find it (doing research, analyzing characters, and deep diving into stories) fun so you may see some pilot chapters for other stories. These stories won't nearly be as long as this Naruto one but it's like what Arnold said, "you have to shock the muscles." Anyway, I thank you all for your support. Take care and may God guide your every step.